Yuki Tsunoda will return to Formula 1 with Racing Bulls at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, ending an eight-month absence from the grid. Isack Hadjar’s wrist injury has triggered a Red Bull driver reshuffle for Zandvoort: Liam Lawson will move up to Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda takes Liam Lawson’s place at Racing Bulls alongside Arvid Lindblad.
The Japanese driver is ready to pull on his race suit and gloves again after responding immediately to the unexpected opportunity. Yuki Tsunoda’s most recent Grand Prix was the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where he finished 14th, making his Zandvoort appearance his first F1 race for eight months.
Yuki Tsunoda’s F1 return ends an eight-month absence
Yuki Tsunoda welcomed the opportunity in a message posted on social media: “Happy to get back behind the wheel this weekend and step in for the team. Wishing Isack a speedy recovery!”
Isack Hadjar himself wished the returning driver well, responding to Yuki Tsunoda’s post with three concise words: “Have fun bro.”
Amid the misfortune of Isack Hadjar’s injury, Red Bull has benefited from having an experienced reserve driver ready to step in. Yuki Tsunoda has remained involved with both Red Bull and Racing Bulls during 2026, although Zandvoort will be his first competitive race weekend in a car designed under the new Formula 1 regulations.
Zandvoort offers Yuki Tsunoda a crucial 2027 opportunity
The Dutch Grand Prix also represents an important opportunity for Yuki Tsunoda to strengthen his prospects for 2027. The challenge will be considerable because the Zandvoort Sprint schedule provides only one practice session before the competitive action begins, leaving little time to adapt to an unfamiliar car.
The Racing Bulls car has generally proved comparatively straightforward to drive. It helped Liam Lawson rebuild momentum after his difficult spell with Red Bull, while the immediate pace shown by Arvid Lindblad has further demonstrated how quickly young drivers can adapt to the team’s machinery. Racing Bulls has also established itself as a leading midfield contender after making important development gains during 2026.
Much will naturally depend on the severity of Isack Hadjar’s injury and how quickly the French driver can recover. Even a single weekend at Zandvoort, however, could allow Yuki Tsunoda to rebuild his reputation and put himself back on the radar of a team further down the grid as he pursues a Formula 1 race seat for 2027.
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